Car diagnostic and repair thread

[Bo Diddley]

I replaced the radiator cap when this began - it was old and starting to lose some spring, so I thought it might be loose. I'll have to take another look at the reservoir cap - not a bad idea.

And maybe check the line from the radiator to the overflow to make sure there are no kinks.

[Bo Diddley]

My daughter's CRV is having cooling system problems. The top radiator hose is hot, but the bottom stays cold. Her heater blows cold air. If she drives it too far, it will start to overheat. I assumed it was the thermostat, but after changing that out, nothing has changed. I ruled out the radiator cap by switching it out with the one on my Civic. When I drained out the old coolant, it wasn't that dirty, and the radiator didn't seem to be clogged. It could be a bad water pump, but I'm not sure how likely that is.

I've pretty much hit a wall with this, so we'll probably take it in somewhere to get fixed.

[old_gregg]

My daughter's CRV is having cooling system problems. The top radiator hose is hot, but the bottom stays cold. Her heater blows cold air. If she drives it too far, it will start to overheat. I assumed it was the thermostat, but after changing that out, nothing has changed. I ruled out the radiator cap by switching it out with the one on my Civic. When I drained out the old coolant, it wasn't that dirty, and the radiator didn't seem to be clogged. It could be a bad water pump, but I'm not sure how likely that is.

I've pretty much hit a wall with this, so we'll probably take it in somewhere to get fixed.

definitely a clog somewhere in the system

[clackamascoug]

• Leaky Hose
• Thermostat
• Pump
• Clogged line in the system

[Bo Diddley]

definitely a clog somewhere in the system

• Leaky Hose
• Thermostat
• Pump
• Clogged line in the system

I didn't touch her car until this morning. Been very busy at work. I was driving it to the auto shop when I noticed the temperature gauge reading more normally. I turned the heat back on and it was working. So I drove it up the freeway to her work instead, and it seems to be working great.

My take away is that it was the thermostat that was the problem. But after I replaced it, there was an air bubble in the system somewhere working as a blockage. Once I got the car moving around, gravity helped break that up, and now it's operating normally.

[Pelado]

I didn't touch her car until this morning. Been very busy at work. I was driving it to the auto shop when I noticed the temperature gauge reading more normally. I turned the heat back on and it was working. So I drove it up the freeway to her work instead, and it seems to be working great.

My take away is that it was the thermostat that was the problem. But after I replaced it, there was an air bubble in the system somewhere working as a blockage. Once I got the car moving around, gravity helped break that up, and now it's operating normally.

Noice.

[old_gregg]

I didn't touch her car until this morning. Been very busy at work. I was driving it to the auto shop when I noticed the temperature gauge reading more normally. I turned the heat back on and it was working. So I drove it up the freeway to her work instead, and it seems to be working great.

My take away is that it was the thermostat that was the problem. But after I replaced it, there was an air bubble in the system somewhere working as a blockage. Once I got the car moving around, gravity helped break that up, and now it's operating normally.

burp that radiator bitch

[Bo Diddley]

burp that radiator bitch

[clackamascoug]

I didn't touch her car until this morning. Been very busy at work. I was driving it to the auto shop when I noticed the temperature gauge reading more normally. I turned the heat back on and it was working. So I drove it up the freeway to her work instead, and it seems to be working great.

My take away is that it was the thermostat that was the problem. But after I replaced it, there was an air bubble in the system somewhere working as a blockage. Once I got the car moving around, gravity helped break that up, and now it's operating normally.

Good to know - I lost two night sleep - worrying about your daughter's overheating problems.

[Bo Diddley]

Good to know - I lost two night sleep - worrying about your daughter's overheating problems.

Yeah, sorry to leave you hanging.

[Bo Diddley]

Been doing a lot of work on my daughter's car. Latest was replacing the front right fender she crunched when she slid into another car (parked) in the snow.

https://spotify.link/UqocrkTB3xb

[Pelado]

Been doing a lot of work on my daughter's car. Latest was replacing the front right fender she crunched when she slid into another car (parked) in the snow.

https://spotify.link/UqocrkTB3xb

We are dancer.

[Bo Diddley]

We are dancer.

Good to know. I was never quite sure the answer to the question.

[Bo Diddley]

I took my car in to Big O to have them diagnose the front end. I was pretty sure a wheel bearing was going out (couldn't tell which side). Also there was some rattling on the left side where something was a little loose. But I was too lazy to look at it myself.

So they come back with an estimate for over $2200 worth of work. It was $650+ for the right front wheel bearing, $380+ per front strut, $300+ for the drive belt, $125+ per sway bar link, and $125+ for an alignment. Those numbers are from memory, and looks like the total is pretty close.

I'm not replacing the struts. I replaced them about 18 months ago. I guess I should have used some Loctite on the threads. I'm guessing the top nuts are working their way loose. I ordered a new wheel hub, wheel bearing, sway bar links and drive belt for less than $150. Depending on how it drives after that, I'll probably take it in for an alignment. I should thank them for the diagnosis, after all.

[Copelius]

Not repair, but maintenance. I've been a DIYer for oil changes because I can do a full synthetic name brand (Mobile 1) for less than a bulk conventional generic at the Jiffy Lubes of the world. It has always involved getting the car up on blocks and then draining, etc.

Recently I heard or read about the oil change places sucking the oil out through the top of the engine, usually the dipstick, and thought I would give it a go. A $20 pump that is run my my drill did the trick and I had the whold thing done in 15 minutes. I am more excited than I should be about my future DIY oil changes.